New Delhi, August 5
With the USA and the UK refusing to recognise India’s security concerns and the schedule for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir having been announced, the Indian forces stationed along the Indo-Pakistan border have been asked to get back into the offensive mode.
Reports here suggest that with neither the infiltration from across the border coming to a stop nor the violence level in Jammu and Kashmir going down, the authorities have taken a decision to put troops on the same level of alertness as it was before the June announcement of de-escalatory measures.
The troops stationed along the Indo-Pakistan border and the Indian Air Force battalions in the region have been asked to get back into a high state of alertness. The leave granted to troops has been reduced to the minimum and instructions have been given to be prepared for any eventuality.
Sources here disclosed that India was again mounting pressure along the borders as all its earlier de-escalatory measures had proved to be futile. Not only has Pakistan not stopped abetting cross-border terrorism but the number and level of violent incidents have actually increased.
The recent visit of the Defence Minister to Srinagar and his address to the jawans of the “Kilo Force”, a counter-terrorism group of the Army, was also an indication of India seeking to put its troops back on the offensive.
Another concern is the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. With Pakistan-backed militant organisations having already made their intention clear of disrupting the democratic process in the state, the Centre is more concerned about ensuring the successful completion of the poll process.
India is also particularly concerned that the Allied Forces, especially the USA and the UK, are purposely propping up Pakistan for short-term gains in their fight against terrorism and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, ignoring other
security
concerns of the region.The USA and the UK recently described Kashmir as the central issue between India and Pakistan and also said that it was actually an international issue, which was much against the expectations of New Delhi.
As a result, India has also refused to take any more de-escalatory measures after initially announcing some steps in June. India’s refusal to take any more such measures has also been categorically conveyed to the USA and the UK.
